1. Describe the stasis in the play: where, when, who, what, etc. in a paragraph.
The stasis in the play is a forty-something year old woman nicknamed "Li'l Bit" by her family members and is recalling her childhood memories about a sexually-abuse relationship with an uncle who ended up teaching her how to drive. It takes place in the late 1900s, from the 1960s-1990s depending on the memories. Most of the memories occur in her hometown in Maryland. The first memory features her and her uncle Peck in a car as she talks about her decision to go to college.
2. What is the intrusion?
The intrusion is a little tricky to spot because the play is mostly told in bits by memories. In this play, the intrusion most likely seems to be the moment when Li'l Bit talks about how she lost her scholarship then expelled from school. This breaks the smooth beginning of the play because she reveals that her life spiraled down at that moment. It creates a faster pace for the play and builds dramatic action since it brings suspense and surprise to the play.
3. What is the unique factor?
The unique factor is Li'l Bit's drinking problem. Because of her alcoholism and tendency to go drive during nights, she neglected to take care of her studies and thus lost her scholarship and status as a student. Had she stayed sober, she may have kept her scholarship or been a student at the college.
4. What is the dramatic question that should be answered by the end of the play?
The dramatic question is: Will Li'l Bit be able to end the sexually-abuse relationship with her uncle and go on with her life?
5. Provide an illustration of the two kinds of exposition that the play has in it.
The two kinds of exposition
Information known to most characters: most of the characters realize that Peck has a soft spot for Li'l Bit. Though some of them might not know the whole extent of their relationship, most of the characters (even Aunt Mary) know that they are very close. This is significant information because it shows how the play progresses. It demonstrates that Peck has continued his sexual abuse for a very long time, even when Li'l Bit was very young.
Information known to one character: only Li'l Bit (and the other partner, but no one else knows this information) knows that she slept with a teenage boy. This information provides plot to the play because it shows that she somewhat understands the reason why Peck liked her body. Though pedophilia is seen to be taboo and wrong, this information almost makes it seem like she is justifying Peck's actions. It shows how Peck might have influenced her reasoning for taking up this one-night-stand.
6. Identify the most theatrical moment in the play and of what importance it seems to be.
The most theatrical moment in the play is when Li'l Bit has had enough of her uncle and tells him off in a hotel room. At this point, suspense has built up because of Peck's gifts and letters, which had all built tension leading up to this moment. Once she gets furious and reveals how he was essentially the reason for the negativity in her life, the tension has peaked. This is the climax of the play when Li'l Bit blows up and realizes the relationship needs to stop. After this moment, she is able to take control of her life again and be at peace with herself.
7. List some of the themes of the play.
Some of the themes are: sexual themes, family, abuse, pedophilia, incest, education, alcohol abuse, and misogyny.
8. Choose the character of Li'l Bit in the show and articulate what she wants and what are some obstacles that stand in the way of her getting what she wants?
Li'l Bit is initially unsure of what she wants because she was so young, and children are typically confused about what they want. She thought she wanted to pursue the relationship, but ends up backing off because it was socially and morally wrong. She would have been shamed by society and her family. She also felt uneasy about it, so she was an obstacle. She then decides she wants to pursue her education, but most of her family stood in the way of her desire, especially her grandparents. Eventually, she ends up in college but is unable to learn because of her drinking/driving habits and Uncle Peck's presence.
9. Describe some possible images in the play and how does the title help us understand the play.
Some images
When Li'l Bit is eating dinner at the hotel and drinks her martini. This shows how drunk she got; with the way the play was worded, the audience can imagine how intoxicated she is.
The revealing photo shoot: this uncomfortable moment shows the physical level of Li'l Bit and Peck's relationship. This is a quite bold moment, and the audience can sense the objectification/sexualization of Li'l Bit's body at this point.
When Li'l Bit sees Peck through her car mirror as she drives away. This symbolizes her ability to leave her past behind her because driving is a metaphor for leaving her past.
The title helps us understand the play behind it hints towards Peck's sexual abuse. Much of the abuse happens in the car, and he was the one who taught Li'l Bit how to drive. It is also quite ironic because she ends up using the skill she learned from him to leave her past behind her.
10. Briefly define the family relationships that are examined in the play.
Family is an extremely important aspect of this play since it deals with incest. Though Li'l Bit and Peck are only related through marriage, they are still family, so their relationship is very taboo and makes the audience uncomfortable as this is a very sensitive topic. Li'l Bit's grandparents seem to show her "tough love" since it is shown they do care for her, but they are not great at expressing their affections. Li'l Bit's mother seems to be the same way to a lesser degree as she is capable of showing more affection and sympathy to her daughter. Aunt Mary is not very fond of Li'l Bit since she can sense that she and her husband has some kind of relationship and cannot wait til Li'l Bit goes to college.
The stasis in the play is a forty-something year old woman nicknamed "Li'l Bit" by her family members and is recalling her childhood memories about a sexually-abuse relationship with an uncle who ended up teaching her how to drive. It takes place in the late 1900s, from the 1960s-1990s depending on the memories. Most of the memories occur in her hometown in Maryland. The first memory features her and her uncle Peck in a car as she talks about her decision to go to college.
2. What is the intrusion?
The intrusion is a little tricky to spot because the play is mostly told in bits by memories. In this play, the intrusion most likely seems to be the moment when Li'l Bit talks about how she lost her scholarship then expelled from school. This breaks the smooth beginning of the play because she reveals that her life spiraled down at that moment. It creates a faster pace for the play and builds dramatic action since it brings suspense and surprise to the play.
3. What is the unique factor?
The unique factor is Li'l Bit's drinking problem. Because of her alcoholism and tendency to go drive during nights, she neglected to take care of her studies and thus lost her scholarship and status as a student. Had she stayed sober, she may have kept her scholarship or been a student at the college.
4. What is the dramatic question that should be answered by the end of the play?
The dramatic question is: Will Li'l Bit be able to end the sexually-abuse relationship with her uncle and go on with her life?
5. Provide an illustration of the two kinds of exposition that the play has in it.
The two kinds of exposition
6. Identify the most theatrical moment in the play and of what importance it seems to be.
The most theatrical moment in the play is when Li'l Bit has had enough of her uncle and tells him off in a hotel room. At this point, suspense has built up because of Peck's gifts and letters, which had all built tension leading up to this moment. Once she gets furious and reveals how he was essentially the reason for the negativity in her life, the tension has peaked. This is the climax of the play when Li'l Bit blows up and realizes the relationship needs to stop. After this moment, she is able to take control of her life again and be at peace with herself.
7. List some of the themes of the play.
Some of the themes are: sexual themes, family, abuse, pedophilia, incest, education, alcohol abuse, and misogyny.
8. Choose the character of Li'l Bit in the show and articulate what she wants and what are some obstacles that stand in the way of her getting what she wants?
Li'l Bit is initially unsure of what she wants because she was so young, and children are typically confused about what they want. She thought she wanted to pursue the relationship, but ends up backing off because it was socially and morally wrong. She would have been shamed by society and her family. She also felt uneasy about it, so she was an obstacle. She then decides she wants to pursue her education, but most of her family stood in the way of her desire, especially her grandparents. Eventually, she ends up in college but is unable to learn because of her drinking/driving habits and Uncle Peck's presence.
9. Describe some possible images in the play and how does the title help us understand the play.
Some images
The title helps us understand the play behind it hints towards Peck's sexual abuse. Much of the abuse happens in the car, and he was the one who taught Li'l Bit how to drive. It is also quite ironic because she ends up using the skill she learned from him to leave her past behind her.
10. Briefly define the family relationships that are examined in the play.
Family is an extremely important aspect of this play since it deals with incest. Though Li'l Bit and Peck are only related through marriage, they are still family, so their relationship is very taboo and makes the audience uncomfortable as this is a very sensitive topic. Li'l Bit's grandparents seem to show her "tough love" since it is shown they do care for her, but they are not great at expressing their affections. Li'l Bit's mother seems to be the same way to a lesser degree as she is capable of showing more affection and sympathy to her daughter. Aunt Mary is not very fond of Li'l Bit since she can sense that she and her husband has some kind of relationship and cannot wait til Li'l Bit goes to college.